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Life with the new iPad Wi-Fi+3G — My First Weekend in Love

By Christopher Simmons on Mon, 03 May 2010

COLUMN: I pre-ordered my new Apple iPad 64GB Wi-Fi + 3G, and so it arrived Friday afternoon. But, being busy, this morning (Saturday) was my first opportunity to connect and sync to my iTunes PC, explore some Apps, and setup the general capabilities of this nifty new gizmo. Wow, very cool. I have zero buyer’s [...]

TOPICS: Apple, iPhone and iPod, ARTICLES and Columns, Christopher Simmons, Featured Columnist

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PopMe: Why V ‘The Visitors’ lost me at hello

By Christopher Simmons on Wed, 04 Nov 2009

COLUMN: Well. I’m pretty much the target audience for any science fiction show, having been born and raised on SF films (my parents took me to see 2001: A Space Odyssey at the Cinerama dome at age 6), and TV. I enjoyed the original “V” series with the mall hair, member’s only jackets, and moral [...]

TOPICS: ARTICLES and Columns, Christopher Simmons, Story Index

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CarGeek: Audi Unveils Pure Electric e-tron Concept

By Christopher Simmons on Tue, 15 Sep 2009

INGOLSTADT/FRANKFURT, Germany — Audi presents the highlight of the IAA 2009: the e-tron, a high-performance sports car with a purely electric drive system. Four motors – two each at the front and rear axles – drive the wheels, making the concept car a true quattro. Producing 230 kW (313 hp) and 4,500 Nm (3,319.03 lb-ft) [...]

TOPICS: ARTICLES and Columns, Auto and Motorsports, Christopher Simmons

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CarGeek: GM says Upcoming Chevrolet Volt Expects 230 mpg in City Driving

By Christopher Simmons on Tue, 11 Aug 2009

COLUMN: So much for GM ‘killing the electric car.’ The new Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle is expected to achieve city fuel economy of at least 230 miles per gallon, based on development testing using a draft EPA federal fuel economy methodology for labeling for plug-in electric vehicles. The Volt, which is scheduled to start [...]

TOPICS: ARTICLES and Columns, Auto and Motorsports, Christopher Simmons

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CarGeek: Bid, Buy, Burnout! GM to Offer California Cars on eBay

By Christopher Simmons on Mon, 10 Aug 2009

COLUMN: In a move to help simplify the car-shopping process, eBay Motors and General Motors Company today announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind promotion that enables consumers to ‘click and buy’ new cars, crossovers and trucks online from participating California Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Pontiac dealers at outstanding values. The new car shopping website – [...]

TOPICS: ARTICLES and Columns, Auto and Motorsports, Christopher Simmons

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CarGeek: The New General Motors Company Launches Today

By Christopher Simmons on Fri, 10 Jul 2009

COLUMN: According to their official news announcement today: The new General Motors Company began operations today with a new corporate structure, a stronger balance sheet, and a renewed commitment to make the customer the center of everything the new GM does. New GM to focus on customers, cars and culture. “Today marks a new beginning [...]

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CarGeek: Jaguar Cars tonight officially unveiled the all-new XJ car at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, London

By Christopher Simmons on Thu, 09 Jul 2009

COLUMN: Hosted by Jay Leno, one of the world’s best-known chat show hosts and a renowned car enthusiast, the launch of the new Jaguar flagship was attended by an invited audience that included public figures, business leaders, celebrities and media. Jaguar Cars Managing Director, Mike O’Driscoll, commented: “These are truly exciting times for us at [...]

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Interview: Peter Frampton Talks About ‘Fingerprints’

By Christopher Simmons on Sun, 21 Jan 2007

COLUMN: In September 2006, Peter Frampton released his first all-instrumental album, called “Fingerprints.” For the project he was able to bring together not only many of his contemporaries and peers, but also a couple of his long time “heroes” and inspirations, Hank Marvin and Brian Bennett of The Shadows. The album showcases many influences, including [...]

TOPICS: ARTICLES and Columns, Christopher Simmons, INTERVIEWS, Story Index

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Behind the Eye: Music Review – Peter Frampton ‘Fingerprints’ (2006)

By Christopher Simmons on Sun, 01 Oct 2006

MUSIC REVIEW: I was pretty excited to hear about the new disc “Fingerprints” from Peter Frampton, a seminal guitar god from the ’70s who became enormously famous for his “Frampton Comes Alive” album and for his formant-tube guitar “talk box” sound on that record 30 years ago. I hadn’t really thought about him much lately except when my iTunes jukebox cycled around to his tunes. So, getting the new disc was like hearing from an old friend again.

TOPICS: ARTICLES and Columns, Christopher Simmons, REVIEWS: Music and Gear, Story Index

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When Advertising Attacks: What Can Brown Do for Identity Theft?

By Christopher Simmons on Sun, 10 Sep 2006

COLUMN: Companies need to do a better job of policing themselves when signing up new customers on the Internet and through mail campaigns, otherwise they risk contributing to an already serious epidemic of personal and business identity theft. Certain companies are making it a little easier for crooks to get a foot in the door [...]

TOPICS: ARTICLES and Columns, Christopher Simmons, Story Index

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Behind the Eye: New Phishing Scams Target Musicians Bidding on eBay for Used Gear

By Christopher Simmons on Sat, 09 Sep 2006

Just when you think it’s safe to go shopping on eBay for used gear, like a vintage tube mic, or analog keyboard, the phishing artists have to ruin my day. Phishing, is the practice of trying to fool you into going to a website pretending to be a legitimate site, like a bank or eBay, or to contact somebody about a product or service through “real looking” email communications.

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When Advertising Attacks: Man Fur Makes Me Thirsty – Alcohol and Shaving Don’t Mix

By Christopher Simmons on Tue, 08 Aug 2006

COLUMN: Apparently shaving is no longer hip and cool. I’m watching TV, the commercials come on, and I am blinded by the stubble… oh the stubble … Does Paris Hilton think “that’s hot?” Ohmigod! I need to stop shaving or I’m not going to get past that velvet rope!